Mechanical horn.



' F. A. PFEIFER.

MECHANICAL HORN.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 29. 1912.

, gfl fiw Patented Sept. 4,1917.

3 $HEETS-SHEET I. 0 I LL L F. A. PFEIFER.

MECHANICAL HORN. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 29, m2.

1,339,,U36 Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

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F. A. PFEIFER. MECHANICAL HORN. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 29, I9I2.

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Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

FERDINAND A. PFEIFER, 0F SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

MECHANICAL Henri.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented dept. a, 191W.

Application filed October 29, 1912. Serial No. 728,335.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FERDINAND A PFEIFER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Horns, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to acoustic signals and particularly to mechanically operated devices for producing sonorou's tones.-

The invention comprises a mechanically operated horn especially adapted for use as a warning signal upon automobiles, butis equally applicable to boats or other vessels or traction cars. In an enlarged form the device is suitable for use as a fog horn in the coast safety service, while in a reduced or miniature form the device may be used in lieu of the usual hell or buzzer for call signal purposes.

The object of the invention is to simplify the structure as well as the means and mode of operation of such devices whereby they will not only be cheap-cued in construction but will be more eflicient in use, compact and durable, capable of producingresonant tones of great volume and unlikely to-get out of repair. r

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for vibrating the diaphragm to produce the resonant tone by means of a succession of blows delivered to the diaphragm with great rapidity by a rapidly revolvingvibrator.

\Vith the above primary and other inci dental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

.l-leferii'ing to the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation partly in section of manually operated signal apparatus forming the sub ject matter hereof. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the rotor or vibrator and its spiral actuating bar. Fig. 3 is aplan view of the rotor showing its relation to the diaphragm. Fig. l is a detail sectional view of therotor Fig. 5 a side elevation partly in section of an assembled apparatus of modified form, embodying a spring for the re turn of the spiral actuatiiig bar. Figs. 6

and 7 are detail views of the interengaging connection between the actuating bar and.

the retracting p ing.- F g. deter-1' 1 I View of a modification whereby a greater number of blows may be delivered to the diaphragm thereby increasing its vibration. Fig. 9 illustrates a modification of the manually operated apparatus. Fig. 10 is an interior view of the housing shown in Fig. 9.

Like parts are indicated bysimilar char acters of reference throughout the several Views In constructing the device there is employed a vibratory diaphragm 1 preferably of sheet metal located within ahou'sing or chamber 2. The housing or chamber 2 is preferably formed of two separable side members 3 and 4 between the margins of which the diaphragm 1 is clamped. The side members 3 and 4 are engaged one with the other with the edge of the diaphragm interposed therebetween by means of screws 5'. The forward side member 4 is extended forward and outward to form a flaring resonance chamber or horn 6 by which the sound produced by the vibration of the dia phragm 1 is magnified and projected in the desired direction. Projecting from the rear wall 3 of the circular housing or chamber 2 and in a plane perpendicular to said cham' berand diaphragm is a semicircular extension 7 of the housing or chamber 2 within which is locatedthe rotary vibrator which upon movement engages and vibrates the diaphragm 1. The. semicircular housing extension 7 is provided upon one side with a bearing sleeve 8 which projects within the extension, while the opposite side of the housing extension is provided with a second sleeve 9 in axial alinement with the first mentioned sleeve. Adju'stably secured by a set screw 10 within the sleeve 9 is a tubular casing 11. The inner end of the tubular casing '11 preferably, though not necessarily, c'hamfcred to form a reduced thrust bearing for the rotary vibrator which revolves in aplane intermediate the inner oxtremity of the tubular casing 11 and the inner end of the hearing sleeve 8. The adjacent extremities of the bearing sleeve 8 and tubular casing 11 form lateral or thrust bearings for. the rotor on opposite sides thereof. The rotary vibrator comprises a revoluble carrier orrunner 12 which in the drawing has been shown in the form of a wheel having an annular rim, and radial spokes, but which maybe a simple disk. Located in spaced relation about the periphery of the carrier or runner and pro:

jecting perpendicular to the plane thereof is a series of studs '13. Located upon each of the studs 13 is an annular contact member or perforated disk 14, the concentric opening of which is of much greater diameter than that of the stud whereby the contact members will be permitted free movement through a limited distance in any direction as well as a free rotary movement about the stud 18. The contact members may be secured in position upon the stud 13 by any suitable head, nut or other fastening device, but for convenience of manufacture are preferably secured by a split ring'15 of spring material which engages in suitable notches 16 provided in the inner sides of the studs .18. The relation of the several parts is clearly illustrated in the detail view Fig. 4. The carrier or runner 12 isprmided with a central rectangular opening 17 the sidesof which are slightly beveled as shown in Fig. 3. Extending through the central opening 17 of the carrier or runis provided upon the extremity of the bar 18 for the convenience 0fv the operator in reciprocating the bar. Inasmuch as the carrier or runner is held against lateral displacement between'the adjacent ends of the bearing sleeve 8' and the tubular casing 11, the reciprocation of the actuating bar 18 within thebearing sleeve 8 and the tubular casing 11 and through the central opening 17 of the runner will cause thecarrier or runner to rotate ata very high rate of speed. The centrifugal tendency due to the rapid rotation of the runner or carrier causes the contact members 14 to be'thrown outward against the stud 13 to the limit of their movement. The relation of the carrier or runner 12 with the diaphragm 1 is such that the contact members 14 when in their extended position will strike the diaphragm as the carrier is rotated thereby. producing a succession ofsharp blows thereon. As each succeeding contact member 14 engages the diaphragm the contact member will yield against the centrifugal tendency to permit it to clear the diaphragm after delivering its blow thereto. The engagement of 'the contact member with the diaphragm causes the former-to rebound .after which it mayormay not strike the'diaphragm a sec- 1' 0nd time before passing out ofits "range of tion'between the vibrator and the diaphragm. In Fig. 3 the contacting member 14 is shown as having yielded against the centrifugal tendency to permit it to clear the diaphragm with which it is shown in contact while the remaining contact members 14 are shown in their outermostpositions to which they have been carried by centrifugal tendencyready to engage the diaphragm 1 as they are passed to theiroperatin'g position bythe rotation of the carrier. There will be little or no tendency for the rotary vibrator to revolve the spiral actuating 'bar in unison with it. However, any such tendency as may occur will beresisted by the graspof the operators hand upon the operating knob or handle 20. As the spiral actuating'bar 18'approaches the limit of its stroke in either direction the helical formation thereof passes entirely through the rotary vibrator which is then engaged upon the flattened extremities 19 of the actuating bar. ,As the rotary vibrator passes upon the flattened extremities of the actuating bar the reciprocation of the bar will no longer tend to rotate the vibrator which by the engagement of the flat. portion 19 within the rectangular opening 17 will be prevented from furtherindependent rotation. However, by the impetus given it by the reciprocation of the spiral portion of a:

the reciprocating actuating bar the vibrator will tend to rotate the said actuating bar in unison with it. This rotary movement of the actuating bar may be resisted by the grasp of the operator upon the handle or knob 20 thereby arresting the rotary movement of the vibrator, although if theioperator releases the grasp upon the handle or knob no harm can result and the energy necessary torotate the actuating bar and the handle 2 carried thereby will absorb the momentum of the vibrator and gradually bring the latter to a state of rest. If the flat extremities 19 were not provided at the opposite ends of the actuating bar but the helical formation extended to the extreme ends thereof the momentum p of the rotary vibrator would tend to further reciprocate the actuating bar 18 after thelatter had reached the limit of its stroke thereby subjecting the several parts to excessive strain and wear.

However, such excessive strain and wear is entirely obviated by the employment of the flat extremities 19 upon the" actuatingbar. In Fig. 5 there is shown a modified apparatus in which the diaphragm 1 is located in a plane parallel withthe axis of the horn 6 instead of perpendicular thereto as shown in Fig. 1. Likewise in this construction the actuating bar reciprocates in a line parallel 8, tubular casing 11 and the rotary vibrator is exactly the same as that previously described except that their positions in relation to the horn have-been changed. In this construction the extremity of the tubular casing 11 is preferably supported by a bracket 21 attached to the flaring portion of the horn 6. This construction is especially adapted for use where the apparatus is to be operated from a distant point by means of a cord 22 engaged with the actuating bar 18 by a swivel 23. The actuating bar 18 as shown in Fig. 5 is adapted to be reciprocated in one direction by a pull upon the cord 22 and thereafter returned to its normal position by a retracting spring 24. The spring not only retracts the actuating bar 18 at each operation but it further resists any tendency of the actuating bar to rotate during its reciprocatory movement. To accomplish .the latter purpose one end of the retracting spring 24 is attached to the tubular casing 11 or to the frame of the apparatus as shown at 25 while the opposite end of the spring 24 is attached to a clutch collar 26 loosely journaled upon the actuating bar 18 and capable of a longitudinal sliding movement thereon. The clutch collar 26 is provided with clutch teeth 27 projecting from the face thereof and adapted to engage similar clutch teeth 28 upon a second clutch collar 29 rigidly secured upon the extremity of the actuating bar 18. The length of the retracting spring 24 is such that when the actuating bar 18 is in its initial position or at the limit of its stroke in one direction the clutch collars 26 and 29 will be separated one from the other and the actuating bar together with the rotary vibrator and the clutch collar 29 carried by the actuating bar will be free to rotate independent of the retracting spring 24 and the clutch collar 26 with which the spring is engaged. However, the initial reciproeatory movement of the actuating bar 18 will draw the clutch collar 29 into engagement with the clutch collar 26 whereupon further reciproeatory movement of the actuating bar will cause the retracting spring 24 to be compressed. The helical trend of the spiral actuating bar and the helical retracting spring 24 are preferably in opposite directions whereby any tendency of the actuating bar to rotate during its reciprocatory movement will be against the torsional tension of the retracting spring 24 which will thereby resist such revoluble tendency. When the reciprocating actuating bar 18 has been moved to the limit of its stroke thereby placing the retracting spring 24 under tension the cord 22 is released, whereupon the retracting spring will reciprocate the actuating bar in the opposite direction causing the vibrator to be again violently rotated. As the reciprocating bar approaches the limit of its return stroke the clutch collars 26 and 29 are disengaged thereby permitting the actuating bar and vibrator to rotate freely until the momentum of the latter has been exhausted. During the final free rotary movement the swivel 23 prevents the cord 22 from being twisted. In Fig. 6 the clutch collars 26 and 29 have been shown intcrengaged one with the other as is the case during the recipro- :atory movement of the actuating bar. In Fig. 7 the said clutch collars are shown in their separated position as would occur at the limit of the return stroke of the actuating bar. It isto be noted that in the con struction illustrated in Fig. 1 the operation of the device depends entirely upon manual effort, while in the construction shown in Fig. 5 the actuating bar is reciprocated by a manual effort in one direction but is returned automatically under the influence of the retracting spring 24.

In Fig. 8 there is shown a construction designed to increase the rapidity of the vi brations of the diaphragm 1. This is ac complished by securing to the diaphragm ans ularly projecting wings 42 extending in tangential relation with the rotary vibrator whereby the contact members 14 will engage the angular wings 42 before and after engaging the diaphragm. The contact members are thus made to deliver three blows one to each of the angular wings and one to the diaphragm intermediate the wings instead of delivering one blow as in the constructions previously shown and described.

In 9 there is illustrated a further modification of the apparatus embodying the diaphragm. resonance chamber, reciprocatory actuating bar and rotary vibrator all constructed exactly as is employed in the construction illustrated in Fig. 1. However. in the present modification the relative positions of the several parts have been changed wherebv the actuating bar 18 will reciprocate in axial alinement with 'the resonance chamber 6 rotating the vibrator in a plane parallel with the diaphragm 1. The rotary vibrator is inclosed in a rearward extension 42 projecting from the rear housing member 3 in which is provided a coir centric bearing sleeve 43 corresponding to the sleeve 8 of the former construction. The actuating bar 18 recip'rocates within the bearing sleeve and in a second bearing 44 provided in a transverse bar 45 secured to the inner walls of the housing member 3. The rotary viblator is carried upon the actuating bar in a position intermediate the adjacent ends of the bearing slee e 43 and the bearing 44 where as before stated it will be rotated in a plane parallel with the diaphragm 1. The diaphragm is provided with a central opening to permit the passage of the actuating bar 18. Secured to the diaphragm are angularly projecting wings or plates 46 the extremities of which project into the path of travel of the contact members 14 of the rotary vibrator. The engagement of the contact members 1-il with the plates 46 vibrates the diaphragm 1 to produce the desired sound. In the drawing but two of the angular wings or-plates 46 have been shown. It is obvious however that any convenientnumber of such plates may be employed.

'From the above description it will be apparent that'there is thus produced a device of the character described possessing theparticular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable but which obviously is susceptible of modification in' its form, proportion, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

lVhile in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been herein described in language more or less specific as to certain structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific details but that the means and mechanism herein shown and described comprise but one mode of putting the invention into effect and the invention is therefore claimed broadly in any of its possible forms or modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an acoustic signal apparatus, a resonance chamber, a vibratory diaphragm, a rotary vibrator, an anvil comprising a segment of polygonal formation, the successive faces of which extend in tangential relation to the path of travel of the rotary vibrator and are adapted to be successively engaged by the vibrator in its rotary movement, said anvil being connected with the diaphragm, whereby blows delivered to the anvil will be transmitted to the diaphragm to cause a vibration thereof, substantially as specified.

2. In an acoustic signal apparatus, a resonance chamber, a vibratory diaphragm, a revoluble carrier, a plurality of studs located upon the carrier, an annular contact member engaged over each of the studs the opening of which is of greater diameter than the stud, whereby the contact member will be permitted free movement for a limited distance about the stud, each of the studs being recessed'upon its side nearest the axis of the carrier and an expansible annular retaining member common to all the studs expanded into the recesses of sev-' eral studs to retain the contact members, the construction and arrangement being such that as the carrier is rotated, the contact members will engage the diaphragm.

3. In an acoustic signal apparatus, a resonance chamber, a vibratory diaphragm, a rotary vibrator adapted by its rotation to vibrate the diaphragm, thrust bearings for said vibrator located on the opposite sides thereof, said vibrator being provided with a central orifice, and a spiral actuating bar engaging in the central orifice of the vibrator and by its reciprocation therethrough adapted to rotate the vibrator, the'vibrator being locked with the actuating bar against relative rotation as the latter approaches the limit of its stroke, the construction being such that the vibrator will tend to rotate the actuating bar by the impetus given it by the prior reciprocatory movement of the bar, substantially as specified- 4. In an acoustic signal apparatus, a resonance chamber, a rotary vibrator, a vibratory diaphragm arranged tangentially in relation to the vibrator and adapted to be engaged thereby as the vibrator is rotated, and wings projecting angularly from the diaphragm in positions also tangential in relationto the rotary vibrator and adapted to be engaged thereby before and after the e11- gagement of the diaphragm by the vibrator, substantially as specified. I i i y 5. In an acoustic signal apparatus, a

resonance chamber, a vibratory diaphragm, a'rotary vibrator, means to actuate the rotary vibrator, extensions angularly disposed in relation one with the'other carried by the diaphragm andprojecting tangentially across into the path of the vibrator and adapted to be engaged thereby upon the rotation of the vibrator, substantially as specified. 6. In an acoustic signal apparatus, a resonance chamber, a vibratory diaphragm, a rotary vibrator adapted by its rotations to vibrate the diaphragm, 'a reciprocating actuating bar for the rotary vibrator capable of rotation, said actuating bar being adapted to cause the vibrator to rotate independently of the rotation of the bar by its reciprocatory movement, and means for interengaging the bar and vibrator to cause them to rotate in unison as the bar approaches the limit of its stroke.

7. In an acoustic signal apparatus, a resonance chamber, a rotary vibratory therefor, an actuating bar'capable of both recip'rocatory and revoluble movement adapted by'its reciprocatory movement "to rotate the vibrator and means for interengaging the vibrator and bar as the latter approaches the limit of its stroke, whereby the vibrator will tend to rotate the bar in unison therewith.

8. In an acoustic signal apparatus, a resonance chamber, a vibratory diaphragm,

a rotary vibrator, a spiral actuating bar for the vibrator, the vibrator and bar being capable of relative movement in an axial direction, said bar being further capable of revoluble movement and means by which the actuating bar will be temporarily held against rotation during the relative movement of the vibrator and bar in an axial direction.

9. In a sound producing device a casing, a horn attached thereto, a diaphragm, a fixed anvil on said diaphragm, said casing having an extension, a tube in-alinement therewith, a spring in said extension, a reciprocable actuating rod doubly grooved helically, and a toothed Wheel revoluble in a plane at right angles to said diaphragm and cooperating With said anvil, said rod being reciprocable through said tube and said Wheel and ro tating the latter by a portion of such reciprocation and means whereby the rod and Wheel Will be interengaged one With the other and caused to rotate in unison as the rod approaches the limit of its reciprocatory movement.

10. In a sound producing device, a sounder, a vibrator therefor, an actuating rod for the vibrator capable of both reciprocatory and rotary movement, a spring tending to re sist any rotary tendency of the rod during 30 its reciprocatory movement, said spring and rod being disengaged as the rod approaches the limit of its reciprocatory movement whereby the rod is permitted to rotate.

11, A sounder, a rotary member, an actu- 35 ating bar capable of both reciproca'tory and revoluble movement adapted by its reciprocatory movement to rotate the said rotary vibrator, and means for interengaging the rotary member and the bar as the latter ap- 4 FERDINAND A. PFEIFER.

Witnesses:

OHAs. F. SGHRADE, EARL S. TURNBULL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Eatenta,

u v Washington, at." 

